2014: Running in Review

I felt like I make a running comeback in 2014. While the first half of 2013 was pretty decent, the latter half was spent moving back across the country from Georgia to California, figuring out how to manage a 100-mile roundtrip commute each day, actually having a social life, and how the heck was running supposed to fit in there? In 2014, though off to a slow start, I feel like I was finally starting to figure it all out.

Total running miles: 757
Race miles: 206.6
Races: 23

8 half marathons
7 5Ks
3 trail 5-milers
2 Ragnars
1 10K
1 mud run
1 trail 3-miler

January
26.2 race miles

I got my butt handed to me at the Citrus Heritage Race...

...and a week later rocked Rock 'n Roll Arizona to earn my Desert Double Down challenge medal and changed my perceptions of the Rock 'n Roll race series. And had a blast with some running girlfriends.

February
3.1 race miles

Ran 5K number two of three for the Chino Triple Crown race series at the Run for Russ, and saw Doug run his first sub-30 5K!

March
3.1 race miles

Completed the Triple Crown with an age group award at the Dairy Aire 5K.

April
39 race miles

I ran an almost-marathon over three legs at Ragnar So Cal and realized that if I could handle that while so undertrained, I was totally ready to tackle the idea of marathon #2.

And then got my butt handed to me again at the Run for Redlands. Half marathon #14 in the books.

May
3 race miles

Ran my first trail race - a tad over 3 miles, but loved the challenge, despite how hot it was. And managed an age group award to boot!

June
21.9 race miles

The highlight of the year: running my first sub-2 half marathon at Fontana.

Ran the first race of the summertime three-part 5-mile trail series. Felt tired, but invigorated and challenged and ready for the next two.

And then having a blast at the Summer of Mud run with Doug, completing 18+ obstacles over just under four miles.

July
5 race miles

Hated the second race of the trail series! Questioned why I signed up to begin with.

August
8 race miles

Massively PRed the last race of the summer series, thought that trail running wasn't as bad as I thought, and maybe one day I'll sign up for more.

Had a blast at the Neon Run, covered in glow paint and rockin' glow sticks like it was 1994 all over again.

September
29.4 race miles 

Earned double medal status, Gold Rush style, for completing Ragnar Napa (+ So Cal) in the same year. Ran over a marathon in a 100+ heat index and knew that a marathon was surely coming up in my future.

Finally broke 26 minutes on my 5K time at the St. Pauls Harvest Festival 5K, good for a new PR by 1:02, and age group award.

October
29.3 race miles

Paced a friend to a nearly 5-minte PR at Long Beach, happily chatting nearly the entire way. It was my first experience pacing a friend, and I had a blast!

Trained with and cheered my dad along to his second 5K finish ever at the Rose Bowl, along with Molly who set a puppy PR.

Ran my first solo 2-hour half marathon at Rock 'n Roll Los Angeles, and earned my Rock Encore medal for two RnR races in one year.

November
6.2 race miles 

Celebrated Doug's first 10K ever, who crushed my first 10K time and loves to remind me of that.

December
32.4 race miles

Returned to the Reindeer Romp to place third in my age group.

Took on the Lexus Lace Up 5K with my dad, to kill my age group and take first out of 33 competitors and finish 11th female overall!

Ran the inaugural Santa Hustle Half Marathon on a pancake-flat course that did me in, but got a free trip to Knotts Berry Farm out of it.

Rocked the San Diego Holiday Half, completing another half in 2 hours (and 22 seconds). At least 2 hours is now the consistent!

An amazing year in the end, though off to a seemingly rocky, uncertain start. This year, despite its challenges, has brought me back to running and  I think has helped emphasize how much I need it in my life - for balance, for relief, for sanity, for fun.

I'm looking forward to focusing again in 2015 - after all, I've got some new states to conquer, marathon #2 (and maybe three, or four?) to tackle, and so much more to look forward to. I'm excited. I'm ready!

Happy Running New Year!

November Recap

Total run mileage: 91.71 miles
Highest weekly run mileage: 28.5 (woo!)
# Runs: 17
# Rest days: 10 (five of those were sick days in bed)

# Cross-training workouts:  6! Look at me... finally doing something other than running. These were walks and hikes, but at least different! 

# Races: Just one... Doug's first 10K! 

     - Dino Dash 10K 

Favorite run: 70 minutes, 7.8 miles. I nailed this run more than I ever thought possible. On a Wednesday morning, our training called for 70 minutes, so I figured at the least, I'd knock out 7 miles and if I got to more than that, that'd be a super duper win. Of all my usual routes around here, the longest is 5, so I knew I'd need to change it up a bit and find some extra distance. I even went and ran the hill that I've thought for a long time would be a sweet hill training place - it kicked my butt pretty hard, but didn't knock me down, that's for sure. I've never felt that good on a decently long run in a long time, especially considering I didn't fuel at all. It was a perfectly gorgeous, sunny, and cool morning and I couldn't have asked for more! 

Perfection. 

Most hardcore run:  I really wouldn't call it all that hardcore, but it's been awhile since I've run 13 miles without wearing a bib on my shirt and without getting a medal at the end. The fun of marathon training has certainly begun (erm, sarcasm) and we're gearing up for some realllly long runs. IERC does this right, though - especially for the newbies who had literally never gone so far. So they celebrated with (milk chocolate) medals and a finish line! 

Current need: Good vibes for my interview on Thursday, please! I'm really excited about this one and am hoping it turns out to be the thing looking for me, too. 

Current favorite: I'm super excited Sparkly Soul released gift cards, just in time for all the holidays - because people know I love them, and have a billion, so what on earth color to choose? Well, now you don't have to decide for me, kids. You can just gimme the card and I'll decide for myself! 

You can order gift cards here for your favorite sparkly runner or fitness enthusiast in your life! (Hint: I'm one of them)

Current triumph: Knocking out almost another 100-mile month, despite not running for 6 days because of that damn cold. It is beyond helpful that IERC is starting to rack up those long runs for LA Marathon training, otherwise, I don't think I would have gotten as close, considering compared to past months, I only ran 17 times this month. Pretty amazing. 

Current goal: One more 100 mile month to wrap up 2014, please. If I can knock out 100 more miles in December, that'll put me at almost 5 100-mile months in a row: August, September, October (98.5), November and December. Which means that in the last 5 months of the year, I ran almost double of what I did in the first seven months (282). I call that a victory, don't you?

Looking forward to: Christmas, all things December, my sister coming home for a few days, Vegas for Doug's 30th birthday... and wrapping up 2014. Looking forward to saying good riddance to this year and kicking off 2015 with a hopeful bang! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? Goals to wrap up the year?

October Recap

Total run mileage: 98.5
Highest weekly run mileage:  27 (for two weeks!)
# Runs: 24
# Rest days: 9

# Cross-training workouts:  Two. Working on this, I swear. 

# Races: Three! Busy weekends! 

     - Long Beach Half
     - Race for the Rescues <-- Molly's second 5K!
     - Rock 'n Roll Los Angeles

Favorite run: This one, hands down (or hands up!). Pacing a friend to a new, rockin' PR was such a blast, and I'm so glad she gave me the chance. Spoiler: she's already asked me to pace her to a sub-2 in February! The pressure! But oh, the excitement! And I cannot wait. 

Most hardcore run: I don't know if 'hardcore' is the word, but looking back and seeing that I was able to make a 2-hour finish at RnR LA after 17 hours on my feet working the expo, plus an hour drive/train ride in each direction for the 48 hours leading up to the race. Though I'm sad about those 20 seconds, given that weekend... I'm pretty stoked with the result! And, really, I had a blast doing it. 

Clearly.

Current song: It's damn catchy. And it's grown on me a lot. And she's just fun. And Meghan is a good name, even if she spells it incorrectly. ;)

Current need: There are dozens of races that are popping up that I am desperately itching to run. But above all, I need to get registered for Surf City so I can complete my Beach Cities Challenge and get that extra super sweet medal. Now accepting donations... 

I also desperately need (okay, want) this new, limited KT Tape. Can you say "pretty" and right up my alley? Because I can! 

Yes please.

Current drink: Despite the rest of the country having what they call "fall" and "autum," the month started in Southern California at 100+ degrees. So yeah, um... ice water? Cold Gatorade? No warm fuzzy-feeling drinks here! It's too damn hot! 

Current favorite: Finally geting this in the mail! The trifecta is complete - and I've got the last of the Ragnar Napa story on Friday! 

Current triumph: Despite not making the 100 miles come to fruition in October, I rocked a 98.5 mile month after two 100 mile months in a row. Better yet, I actually listened to my body when it told me that I need to back off, even if that meant missing out by 1.5 measly miles. I've long said that one of the good things about having had two knee surgeries that I know that when I do feel a pain or a twinge, or that something isn't right, I know I need to back off... on the flip side, if I didn't have surgeries and/or didn't know something was wrong, I'd push and push and push and possibly end up with worse. Blessings in disguise, I suppose! 

Current goal: After finishing out October with just shy of 100 miles and that pesky day of stupid, weird knee pain, I'm determined to spend November not only racking up the miles some more, but focusing on strength. I don't have a gym membership right now, so I'm limiting myself to doing this at home - BUT I know there are tons of things I can do in my own livingn room. If I'm going to successfully get through marathon training and make my goals, I need to ensure that I'm taking care of my whole body and not just beating down on my legs, hips and knees. Here we go! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? Goals for November?

September Recap

Total run mileage: 100.7. Just .3 more than August, but heck yes... movin' on up! 
Highest weekly run mileage:  36 (whew)
# Runs: 25 (4 less than August!)
# Rest days: 9 

# Cross-training workouts:  Just walks with Molly... I really need to get back into some sort of true cross-training, especially if I'm going full-blown with plans for the LA Marathon! 

# Races: 

     - Ragnar Napa Valley (Part 1 here, the rest to come next week!)
     - St Paul Harvest Festival 5K

Favorite run: PRing in that 5K - I've never raced a 5K quite like that, nor ever felt so tired after a 5K, so I know I did it right and raced with what I had in me. A 1:02 in a 5K is pretty huge, so I'm feeling pretty good, strong, and confident with that kind of progress!

Most hardcore run: I mean, Ragnar in total was pretty hardcore this time around. 26.3 miles in less than two days, let alone at heat indexes of 100+. But that 11 mile Ragnar leg was probably the most beastly of them all. More to come in my recaps next week, but having an 11-miler as your last leg, let alone at 4 in the afternoon in 90+ degree weather on a long, straight, asphalt road is tough. To say the least. 

Despite what it looks like here, I'm actually convinced I was dying at some points of that leg. Fact.
Side note: I have no idea how it combined all my images and made a clip. Awesome. 

Current obsession: Dreaming of ALL the races. :)

Current song: I mean, duh, September just ended. 

Current need: I'm tired of whining about my job hunt to you all, so my current need/desire is to find some extra motivation for a little cross-training and strength-training efforts. I'm feeling all kinds of in shape, but wish I had access to a gym right now to ensure that I'm working all of me and not just my legs and lungs. Suggestions?

Also, saving some extra cash this month so I can register for the LA Marathon! Yep, you read that right, I'm looking forward to tackling marathon #2 and making it a hometown one. LAM is also celebrating their 30th Anniversary, so what better than the year I turn 30, even if my birthday is like six months later? Excited! 

Current triumph: Another 100 mile month. A stellar 5K PR. Making progress, kids. Making progress! 

Current goal: #October100miles, so that'd be 3 100-mile months in a row. I'd like to aim for 110 this month. 

I'm also looking forward to doing both the Long Beach Half and Rock 'n Roll LA this month, and hoping that I can gun for at least two sub-2 races on flat courses. Looking forward to seeing what I'm made of and what I can push for! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? Goals for October?

August Recap

august!

Despite August being hot and gross, and it being as tough as it was personally, I set out to make #August100miles happen, especially after starting on track in July and then falling to a summertime cold that set me back. After just 37 miles in July, preceded by a pretty solid June, I was ready to make August the month I'd hit it. Mind you, the only other 100-mile month (115) I've had was my peak month of marathon training in December 2012. So yes, this is a big freaking deal!

Even more than that, as you can clearly see... ever since moving back to California last summer, I've struggled. Evidenced by my lack of writing here, but even moreso by those numbers. I struggled with managing a new job, a hefty commute from July - December, and managing a life for the first time in two years. In Georgia, running was my life because that was all I had. Spring of this year helped me get moving a little more, as my work commute was all of 5 miles, and you can see some upward movement finally. And now... now I feel like I'M BACK. Yes, this is only one month in, but I feel it. I'm ready.

Total run mileage: 100.4. HELLS. YES! 
Highest weekly run mileage:  29
# Runs: 29 - lots of those double days!
# Rest days: 10, which is a lot more than I thought I had! 

# Cross-training workouts:  2-3, just walks with Molly! 

# Races: 1

     - Renegade Race Trail Series #3

Favorite run: I know I only did one race this month, so I have a tie between that one and a new exploratory run. I super duper PR-ed the 3rd trail race of the series and am pretty excited about. Again, still not convinced trail racing is the jam, but I had a blast... now if only that medal would arrive! 

Most hardcore run: I think it was all of those double-days... where I'd run 4 miles on the trail and then come home and run 3 more on the road, or some combination of morning and night runs altogether. It was partially to get these miles down and partially in preparation for Ragnar Napa which is coming in just two and a half weeks! I've got some hefty legs again and this time, I'd like to actually be prepared for them! 

Current obsession: Job hunting? Is that an obsession?

Current song: .Anything Neon Trees because a) I love them and b) Doug surprised me with tickets to see them tomorrow night and I. AM. SO. EXCITED. 

Current need: A sense of being a productive member of society! Gah! I'm not one to just sit around and laze about - I think that's one thing I've appreciated about being at my parents' and them getting up early... so I do too. Whether it's to run, or blog, or just catch up on email, it's nice to get my day going early. That way when I DO jump back into work, it won't be a total shock to my system. I'm not the type to be unemployed and sleeping my days away. No ma'am.

Current triumph:100 miles. Duh. 

Current goal: Going to work towards #September100miles too - let's go! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? Goals for September?

July Recap

july!

July was far from the month I planned on it being - I think the weight of unemployment finally hit me, along with the stress, as I ended up developing a nasty cold that stuck with me (and my lungs) for nearly three weeks. Add a trip to Indianapolis in there, more applications, and the month just really got away from me. So much for #july100miles... but oh well! Life happens, doesn't it?

Total run mileage: 37.. wowwww... so sad. 
Highest weekly run mileage:  15
# Runs: 13
# Rest days: 16 - that's what a summertime cold will get ya! 

# Cross-training workouts:  4 - lots of hikes with mom and Molly! 

# Races: 1

     - Renegade Race Trail Series #2 (I don't think I ever got around to my recap!)
 
Favorite run: The only run I really did do that stands out - conquering trail race #2 of the Renegade Race Trail series! 

Trail racing: where I look more serious than normal.

Most hardcore run: It feels cheesy, but honestly that trail race. I wasn't feeling super well (turns out I had a cold that knocked me out for the next three weeks afterward), it was HOTTER than you-know-what, and my head just wasn't in it. BUT I finished only 11 seconds slower than the first go-round at this race, so I'm determined to make the August one (and last one) freaking awesome. 

Current obsession: Job hunting? Is that an obsession?

Current song: .I absolutely adore this song. And they're Canadian, so all the better. If you dig 'em, go checking out their other single, "Don't Kill the Magic." It's wonderful. They're actually playing locally on Thursday night as well, and I'm kind of contemplating how to make that happen right after this trail race... the temptation! 

Current need:A job, please! A paycheck, please! There are so many races around here in the fall that I'd really like to jump on but I'm actually being really good on this no-income budget of mine and resisting all temptation... as tough as it is, and as much as I'd rather not. You gotta do whatcha gotta do... right?

Current triumph: Finally got my first unemployment check! It's the little things. And having been unemployed for six weeks now, it's unreal how ridiculous the system is and how long it takes to get things processed. I know there are so many people who surely work the system, but man! Shenanigans. 

Current goal: You know the answer to this one. :) A jobby job, por favor! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? Goals for August?

June Recap

june!

June's monthly mileage was about 58 miles - I know for a fact that I missed logging a run somewhere, but even with 58, I'm pretty satisfied. If you look at the last few months, I'm finally on the upswing - and figures that's heading into summer even! So if I can stick on this pattern and keep putting in the miles each month, I'm happy. There is definitely work to be done, but you gotta start somewhere, yes?

Total run mileage: 58
Highest weekly run mileage:  21
# Runs: 20
# Rest days: 9

# Cross-training workouts: 3 walk/hikes with mom and Molly! 

# Races: 3

     - Fontana Days Half | Recap
    -  Renegade Series #1 | Recap later this week!
    - Irvine Mud Run | Recap later this week!

Favorite run: Last weekend, Doug and I did the Irvine Lake Mud Run. I know some people's thoughts towards them, but frankly.. they're fun. They're a good time. And truly for kicks and giggles, so why not? I could never take them as seriously as some folks (I'm a little accident prone) but they're fun. It was just the two of us that did this one, but we have a whole group of us doing another one in August up in the mountains. 

I've done Warrior Dash once before, and while that's in that "mud run" category, WD couldn't even compare to this one. This was just under 4 miles and had 32 (YES, 32!) obstacles throughout. Kid you not, I'd say 25 of those were mudpits or mudpools - including a 50-foot slide into a 9-foot mud pool. So awesome. The course is all run on an off-roading trail, so you know it's climbs and turns - and a good time. This rocked. The same company does several mud runs at Irvine Lake each year, and I think I'd jump on another one of theirs for sure!

Most hardcore run:  I struggled if this was my favorite run or most hardcore run - and I think it wins both (but we're gonna go with hardcore). Fontana was the hardest thing I've ever done and now, almost a month later, I still find it unbelievable that I was able to push that hard. 

I'm a sub-2er. I did it. And heck, at that, I blasted past sub-2! I still give (mostly) full credit to Michael, who won't take much of it, but whatever. I've never had a pacer (a personal one at that) who pushed me beyond what I even thought I was capable of. So now I sit at a 1:56 half marathon PR and wonder what on earth is supposed to come next! 

A little lovin' from the F3 folks. <3

Current obsession: The World Cup! Need I say more? #ibelievethatwewillwin 

Current song: Because, duh. And it's been the halftime song at nearly every World Cup game these last few weeks and it's awesome.

Current need: I'll keep this short. See below under Current Goal.

Current triumph: Sub-2. Enough said! :)

Current goal: Well. Here I lay it all out there for you. June was also rough as towards the end of the month, I was laid off. I'm going on day 11 of funemployment and I feel like the most unproductive member of society right now. I'm disappointed, obviously, and frustrated and upset, but frankly, that won't get me anywhere and won't help me move forward. That being said... new goal... get a job! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? Goals for July?

PS! Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a team spot with TNT for the Nike San Francisco Women's Half Marathon! Closes tonight at midnight!